My Log - Actually back logged!

January 12, 2007 Friday

At anchor at MM 125 on Kentucky Lake/Tennessee River. Have been derelict in getting my log updated. I believe we made our first 102-mile day when I mistakenly got everyone up early. We’ve had several occasions pulling up the anchor that we’ve had boulders, tree trunks and this morning a huge clump of clay. In fact, the other morning we had a boulder and two tree trunks. It usually takes about an hour to get the hook up, even with the windless. Imagine how difficult (if not impossible) it would have been without the windless. (Bob told us that Mr. Bibber purchased the windless in Scotland)

Finally made the exciting turn into the Tennessee River and left the Ohio River behind us along with Indiana. The very last lock (Smithfield) on the Ohio was pretty hairy. A tug with his barges was going in the chamber next to us when the wind and tide caught him – he lost control; crossed over to the chamber we were assigned. For a time I thought we would be squashed between the barges and the wall of the lock. Thank God, Bob is always in control. He maneuvered us out of harms way and into the other chamber. I was on the bow to take pictures, but never captured our near miss. We were too mesmerized with the chain of events to think to take pictures. We picked up the Tennessee River shortly thereafter. Our turn was at Paducah, KY. MM 0 for the Tennessee River and MM 990 something for the Ohio River. We traveled a long way on the Ohio, starting at MM 9 in Pittsburgh on Dec. 23rd. A short way down (actually up) the Tennessee we had to go thru a lock. This time we locked up about 35 feet, but had to wait about 2 hours for a tug to go before us. It was windy as heck – tried to tie up to a mooring buoy, actually after several attempts, finally were successful. Not a comfortable place to be – Achievement was bucking and bouncing with the waves, wind and current slapping her around, Capt. finally decided to untie and do some doughnuts until time we could get thru the lock.

Coming out the other side was a beautiful site. Kentucky Lake, one of the largest man made lakes in the world. The water was cleaner, not as much debris, and had lost the coffee and cream color of the Ohio. The lake is surrounded by islets, creeks, islands, hills and is gorgeous.

We went to Kentucky Dam Marina for the night, arriving about 4:30PM. Next day (in the Marina’s courtesy van), we all went into town for supplies. This trip has not been a pleasure cruise – the main goal being getting Achievement home as quickly as possible – so an opportunity to drive on land and see some of the town is a real treat – even if it’s not any of the touristy spots. I know we will never have the opportunity to do this trip again, but if we did, we’d take our time and visit some of the river towns. Lots of history here and I would love to see it and meet the people. Everyday I think about how fortunate we are to be here.

We wound up staying at the Marina for two nights and left late the second day. Boy did they have Great Showers! One of the inconveniences is not being able to take a shower every day. Moreover, when you do get to take one – it’s get wet – turn off the water – soap up – turn on the water- rinse off and get out.

We left Kentucky behind today and are now in Tennessee, about 2/3 of the way. The next State will be Mississippi. The river here is even more beautiful than in Kentucky. We read in the cruising guide that there was a Heron Rookery at MM 189.9 on the northern shore. Victor and I from the poop deck, and Lionel and Bob from the Wheelhouse looked, but never saw it. Guess it’s a seasonal thing!

We made about 87 miles today, dropped the hook after dark – looking for an island, which we did not find. Today, though cloudy has been the warmest day yet. The temperature on the poop deck read 70 degrees. Tonight is the first night we have not had the space heater on. Getting South! Hooray!

The other day Bob climbed the mast to replace our anchor light bulb, tonight Lionel did (Yep! It blew again). Made me nervous, but he did a good job and Bob stood by to help him down. Those two are something else.

Tomorrow the weather calls for 100% chance of rain and a high in the 50’s. We’ll see if they are correct. I hope not!

January 13th. – Saturday

The weatherman was wrong. The temperature on the poop deck is reading 72 degrees. Although it is overcast, we have not had the first drop of rain.

Captain Shawn said on the blog that this was his favorite part of the trip – Wow! I can see why. Every time I think the scenery is some of the most beautiful I’ve seen – it outdoes itself and becomes even more spectacular. I can only imagine how it must look during the summer or fall. We are starting to see more green now and yesterday started seeing cypress trees. Today there have been many anglers on the water – not sure if it’s because it is a Saturday or the weather is comfortable. Probably a combination of both.

Did you know that in Kentucky Lake they set traps and dive for mussels? A few days back we actually saw some divers in the water. They use the meat for bait and the shell for cultured pearl industry. In fact, at Birdsong Creek MM 105 they have the Tennessee River Fresh Water Cultured Pearl Farm in America.

The hills (I still think they are mountains) are awesome. The sheer rock faces have a variety of hues, outcroppings of trees, an occasional small waterfall and some have homes precariously perched at the top. Some of these have massive stairways that are hundreds of feet high, leading to the water or ledges in the rocks. I couldn’t imagine having to (or wanting to) climb them.

Up until a few days ago I was taking photos with Lionel’s digital camera – I could download and label the same day. Weeelllllll – after dropping it a million times, it finally had a critical fall! Yep! I killed it. Thank heaven’s Lionel (though a bit upset) did not kill me. So now I’m taking pictures with my Minolta (not digital) and probably will not be able to remember where any of them were taken. Victor has a great eye and has been taking some great photos. He is (and should have been) the designated photographer for the trip. I have been told to “Stand away from the cameras!” Geeze – you would think I break them or something!

We will be approaching Savanna, TN shortly so have to pay attention to the surroundings now…..